This is a perfect example of what education should be. Allowing a debate to be just that, a debate. Also, allowing students to think for themselves presented with ideas and facts vs. having a political agenda forced on them as the gospel.

Global warming was on trial at Trail Ridge Middle School and the verdict was … Humans don’t cause global warming. What a great lesson for Al Gore and the Left to witness, a debate where others are not demonized as heretics for having an opposing view point. Isn’t it amazing what can happen when individuals are allowed to debate issues without person attacks. This is a civics lesson that all students and adults should learn from of all ages.

“The earth has warmed and cooled over many years. If it’s caused by CO2, why haven’t the charts shot up?” Poppe’s son and lead prosecutor Caleb argued during a rebuttal.

In a climax that sent half the class to its feet and forced the judge to call for order, opponent Monique Nem slapped a contradictory graph onto the prosecution’s table.

“We’ve proven you wrong! The CO2 levels have shot up,” she said.

The jury responded more warmly, however, to Caleb Poppe’s response: The graphic cited a Hawaiian source; Hawaii has volcanoes; volcanoes emit CO2.

Check out the two sides closing arguments and hear whether this doesn’t sound like the familiar fact vs emotional argument that is overly perverted by political agendas today of adults.

In closing arguments, Alexia Hegy said global temperatures actually decreased in the 1960’s, while the global population rose. Humans cannot be at fault, she concluded.

With the final word, defense attorney Sarah Steed countered: “It all comes back to us, the people — not the sun, not the weather. We need to turn off lights when we don’t need them. Bikes can work. The environment can be richer.”

Palaeontology teacher Ken Poppe who conducted this debate should be commended and given a teacher of the year award. He presented the issue for the debate and actually allowed his class to think and debate for themselves without what has become all too common “leftist” teacher tactics. Some parents were worried when this topic was to be debated as they feared it would be the same old “brain washing” techniques regarding global warming.

“What I think is not the issue. It’s what the students dig up and how they present the case,” Poppe said.

Only one parent questioned Poppe’s decision to hold a global warming debate. That mother expected him to present Al Gore’s global warming movie “An Inconvenient Truth” as indisputable facts, Poppe said. After he explained his neutrality in the classroom, the mom allowed her child to participate in the debate, he said. (Longmont FYI)

Amazing what can occur when a debate actually is the back and forth discussion of idead and not accusing those that you are against killers.
R

tuyvnsurviror on
March 24th, 2007 7:13 pm

Cheers to Ken Poppe and kids.

Only non-science minded politicians, ones needing to shut mouth before taking enough science to understand that to say all the facts are in, final conclussions made, there is no doubt…about something like man causing global warming is nuts. Science does not work that way; a bit of doubt is room for acres of discovery.

The sun alone and its changes and cycles are hard for humans to out match as to global warming. Too, why is east Antarctica getting colder?

Yet many of us are indeed clean air, better enviroment minded. No doubt we have to do far better. No doubt many of us contribute to that betterment with our investment money and vigilant gaurd. Slash and burn is still alive all around us, I protest harshly, in close proximity, to those who do that in my area. Population control is something Gore could come nearer saving the Earth with…no guts Gore.

[...] would lecture us not to. So why does Al think its supposed to be different for him? If Gore wanted any credibility in his global warming rants he must at least walk the walk. We already know he can talk. If you are going to get other to [...]